Planning a turkey this year? Let us help you find the perfect bird for your table.
Buying the right turkey can mean the difference between a good Thanksgiving and a legendary Thanksgiving. And while you can’t go wrong with any of our birds, shopping for a specific size or certification can be tricky. Rest assured, we’re here to help simplify the process. Below, learn more about our birds, plus get expert buying and storing tips.
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to start thinking about the star of the meal – the turkey! For the juiciest, most flavorful bird, many prefer to cook a fresh turkey instead of a frozen one. But where can you find a fresh turkey near you? Here are some of the best options for sourcing a just-killed, never-frozen turkey close to home.
Check Your Local Grocery Store
Many national supermarket chains like Kroger, Safeway, Publix, and Albertsons will stock fresh turkeys in the lead-up to Thanksgiving. Check the meat department or ask your butcher if they offer fresh or “never frozen” turkeys and when they expect to get them in stock. Often the fresh turkeys sell out fast, so it’s best to shop early.
Some higher end grocers like Whole Foods Market, Sprouts, and Natural Grocers are also excellent sources for top-quality fresh birds. Ask when their Thanksgiving turkey deliveries arrive so you can snap one up early.
See If Your Local Farmers Market Sells Them
Many urban and suburban areas host weekly farmers markets. And leading up to Thanksgiving, it’s common to find local farms selling fresh pasture-raised turkeys at these events. Check your local farmers market website or social media page about availability and pre-ordering deadlines.
Buying direct from a farmer gives you the chance to learn about how the turkeys were raised and show support for local agriculture. Expect to pay a higher price than a supermarket bird but you’re getting premium quality.
Look for On-Farm Pickup Options
Some small poultry farms in your area may offer direct to consumer turkey sales. This lets you buy a just-slaughtered bird straight from the source. Oftentimes you can place an order online and pick up the fresh turkey at the farm the week of Thanksgiving.
Search for “pasture raised turkey pickup [your city]” and see what nearby farms pop up. The turkeys will be as fresh as it gets!
Check Specialty Meat Shops
Independent butcher shops and meat markets are also potential sources for fresh turkeys. Many receive limited quantities of whole fresh turkeys from local farms leading up to the holiday rush. Give your neighborhood butcher a call and ask if they’ll have fresh birds available for Thanksgiving and order yours ahead of time.
See If Your CSA Offers Them
If you belong to a CSA (community supported agriculture) program, check if they allow turkey orders along with your regular produce box. The turkeys will be as fresh as possible since they likely come directly from the CSA’s partner farm.
Mail Order Fresh Turkeys
Can’t find a fresh turkey locally? Some companies shipthem overnight directly to your door. Brands like Mary’s Free Range Turkeys, Joyce Farms, and Holy Smoke sell heirloom, pasture-raised fresh turkeys that they quickly chill and ship with ice packs. Order early to get your preferred delivery date.
While pricier than a supermarket turkey, these online providers offer unique farm-fresh breeds. The convenience of overnight delivery means you don’t have to hunt down a fresh turkey in your area.
Check Your Grocery Delivery App
Grocery delivery services like Instacart, Amazon Fresh, and Walmart Grocery often let you order fresh turkeys along with the rest of your groceries. Search the apps for availability in your area. Just be sure to select expedited delivery very close to Thanksgiving to ensure it arrives as fresh as possible.
Tips for Picking the Freshest Turkey
Once you’ve sourced a supplier for a fresh turkey, look for these signs of optimal freshness:
-Pink, plump skin with no discoloration
-Skin is cool and slightly moist to the touch
-No noticeable odor
-Packed on ice or partially frozen to maintain chill
-Sell by date as close to Thanksgiving as possible
Let your fresh turkey chill until ready to prep and cook. With proper refrigeration, it will keep for 5 days from the sell-by date before needing to head in the oven.
Benefits of Cooking Fresh Turkey
Why go through the trouble of seeking out a fresh bird versus a frozen one from the supermarket? Here are some benefits of fresh turkeys:
–More flavor – Fresh turkeys retain more natural juices and turkey flavor. Many people find them more moist and tasty.
–Better texture – The meat has a less watery, firmer texture without freezer burn.
–Natural appearance – No dark spots or tearsthat can happen with frozen turkeys. The skin and meat look pristine.
–Supports local farms – Buying direct from a farm gives small regional poultry producers business.
–Higher quality – Small farm turkeys often come from heritage breeds raised in more natural environments.
–Food safety – Minimizes the time turkey spends in transit between farm and oven.
While fresh turkeys require quicker cooking, most find they are worth the extra effort for the superior flavor and quality.
Pre-Order Your Fresh Turkey Now
With some planning ahead, locating a fresh turkey without additives, preservatives or freezing is doable. Identify your local sources and get your order in early. Then pick up your just slaughtered bird 1-2 days before Thanksgiving for the freshest feast possible.
How to Thaw a Frozen Turkey
If you do choose one of our frozen birds, make sure to leave plenty of time for thawing. Use this handy chart to plan ahead.
|
Turkey Size |
Days in Fridge |
Hours in Cold Water |
|---|---|---|
|
14 pounds |
3 |
7 |
|
20 pounds |
4 |
10 |
We recommend thawing your turkey one of two ways:
Most Reliable Way: Put a tray or pan underneath the bird (in its packaging) to catch drips and place it in the refrigerator on the lowest shelf for 1 full day for every 5 pounds of turkey.
Fastest Way: Short on time or fridge space? This is your best option. Make sure the turkey is sealed in a leakproof wrapper and place it in a vessel large enough to completely contain it. Add cold water to cover. Change the water every 30 minutes and allow 30 minutes of thawing time per pound.
Need to stock up on turkey essentials like spices, fresh herbs and more? You can shop holiday groceries for pickup or delivery opens in a new tab with Prime.¹
For plenty of inspiration, check out our Turkey Recipe Collection for menu ideas and our Essential Turkey Cooking Tips for expert pointers.
What Makes Our Turkeys Different?
Whether classic or kosher, heirloom or organic, all of the fresh and frozen turkeys we sell meet our Quality Standards. Turkeys are third-party audited to meet over 100 animal welfare standards and all options are Animal Welfare Certified (except kosher turkeys). And, like all meat and poultry in the department, the animals must be raised with no antibiotics ever and no animal by-products in feed.
What Types of Turkey Do We Offer?
So, fresh or frozen? Organic or heirloom? Here’s what you need to know about our turkey selection when shopping our Meat department. Kosher, heirloom and heritage birds may not be available in all locations, so be sure to contact your store ahead of time.
These essential birds are always crowd-pleasers. Packed with flavor and wallet-friendly, you can’t go wrong.
- Classic Turkeys: These tasty, tender turkeys are a great choice for value, quality and flavor.
- Organic Turkeys: These birds receive organic, non-GMO feed and have specific requirements for the amount of access to the outdoors.
If you’re looking to try something different this year, don’t miss our assortment of unique, special birds.
- Regenerative Turkeys: Juicy, tender birds that rotationally graze, foraging through pastures to support healthier soil.
- Heritage Turkeys: These unique, old-world birds are leaner with a smaller meat-to-bone ratio and can be very flavorful.
- Heirloom Turkeys: A little bigger than heritage turkeys, this special variety has robust flavor and a lot of dark meat.
- Brined Turkeys: We’ve marinated these birds in a seasoned brine for moist, flavorful meat. If you’re planning to fry your turkey, start with one of our brined birds.
- Kosher Turkeys: Rubbed with kosher salt inside and out, kosher birds are checked by specially trained rabbinical inspectors to make sure they’re processed in accordance with kosher standards. The kosher salt pre-seasons the bird and gives it extra flavor.
- Turkey Breasts: Feeding a smaller group? Our classic (no antibiotics ever) and organic turkey breasts are easy to brine and take less time to prepare than a whole turkey. We offer bone-in, organic bone-in and boneless options.
All fresh and frozen turkeys from our Meat department must meet our standards for being raised with no antibiotics ever, no animal by-products in feed and 100+ animal welfare standards. Federal regulations prohibit the use of hormones in raising turkeys.
Expert’s Guide to Shopping for Turkey
FAQ
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